Instrument proc while VFR.

[slushie]

Let's say you're departing VFR from an unfamiliar airport in "beautiful" southern California. It's a little better than MVFR due to smog and a low sun angle. To make it even more certain, you are a VFR only pilot. (but you have jepps onboard ) Can you request/file and fly a SID to get out? I guess you could just fly an obstacle departure if you wanted to, if there was one. But can you file a SID for VFR?

[aloft]

You can fly any IFR procedure you like under VFR, but you're still responsible for your own traffic avoidance, which is the real danger. I've gone into MYF in San Diego a few times under those conditions, and it's scary in busy airspace.

So, can you do it? Sure. Should you? Eh, probably not.

[slushie]

Originally Posted by aloft

You can fly any IFR procedure you like under VFR, but you're still responsible for your own traffic avoidance, which is the real danger. I've gone into MYF in San Diego a few times under those conditions, and it's scary in busy airspace.

So, can you do it? Sure. Should you? Eh, probably not.

Well, I'm considering you could see traffic, just not so much for obstacles once you're airborne.

[daru1]

Umm wouldn't filing a SID out be on an IFR flight plan? A VFR only pilot can not file or fly IFR unless they are instrument rated.

They can, however, fly a SID VFR if they don't file IFR, but they do have to be responsible for their own traffic avoidance.

[mojo6911]

Another way is to call up approach and get traffic advisories or flight following to help avoid traffic. The real question, is why are you taking off MVFR as a VFR pilot? See JFK Jr. for reasons not to do that.

[MidlifeFlyer]

I guess you could call approch and ask for a VFR practice SID just as you could for a practice approach. Aside from the personal safety issue that has already been mentioned, there is the question of whether ATC would be willing to give you VFR practice in marginal conditions - not that they care about you, but ATC tends to be busier with IFR traffic when conditions are marginal.

[fishrichard]

If you are worried about obstacles/ terrain, I think flying an obstacle DP would cover you. No flight planning required, just do what it say.

[slushie]

Trying to explain it, I realize it's not a "real" situation. I wouldn't recommend doing it... I'm just wondering if you could.

[aloft]

Your original post said

It's a little better than MVFR due to smog and a low sun angle. To make it even more certain, you are a VFR only pilot. (but you have jepps onboard ) Can you request/file and fly a SID to get out?

I guess the real answer is no, you cannot request an IFR clearance "to get out" as a VFR-only pilot. Can you fly a DP in MVFR? Sure; MVFR is still VFR, and you can largely do what you want, airspace and ATC permitting.